Monthly Archives: April 2012

Honey Bran Muffins

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Before you balk at bran being thrown at you once again as a great way to get your fiber, let me say that these muffins are truly delicious.  My mum has been making these for a long time, and even as a kid they kind of seemed like a dessert to me (this might be partly because we didn’t eat dessert a lot…).  Now that I’m sure I’ve convinced you of these muffins’ yummyness (I’m just inventing words this morning), I should tell you that they are also healthy (and yes, a great way to eat your fiber). Go make them!

This recipe is a great base, too, for whatever dried fruit/nuts/berries/all of the above you want to throw in.  One of my favourite add-ins are blueberries, but I went for something a little different this time with dried cherries and walnuts. Delicious.  These babies also make very satisfying travel snacks — a good thing, since I’m taking a couple to the airport with me. Have a great weekend! Mum’s muffin recipe

Get Him To The Greek (Food): Tzatziki

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Mum's spanikopita, tzatziki & tortilla chips, complimentary hair colours, and a beautiful cake from our friends!

A few weeks ago some family friends of ours came over for dinner and we went with a Greek menu.  It was lovely to catch up with them and as you can imagine I always enjoy getting ready for a little feast.  I was asked for the recipe for the tzatziki and promised to send it over right away, but of course with my great organization skills during exams that didn’t happen.  So here it is, only three weeks late!

Tzatziki is a traditional Greek sauce/appetizer/dip, depending on how you serve it. We like eating it with souvlaki and grilled meat, veggies, bread and crackers, or just straight out of the bowl.   

Until today I had never actually measured what I was throwing into the tzatziki, so it’s quite easy to just make it to your own taste. If you like Greek food, you really can’t leave out the tzatziki! Tzatziki Recipe

Auntie C’s Granola

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Pretty, but the snow probably isn't good for the tulips!

When my (amazing) Auntie C visited over Christmas, she brought with her a big bag of homemade granola. We meant to save it for breakfast, but someone opened the bag to start munching and before we knew it the whole thing was gone! I’d been meaning to make her recipe since then, and it did not disappoint.

After a weekend with friends in rainy Montreal, I woke up to a slushy wonderland in Ottawa this morning.
Cozy in my PJs, this granola was beyond perfect with some Greek yogurt and my morning coffee.

Montréal, je t'aime.

Having never made my own granola before I was happy with how easy it was! I love the “artisan”  organic type of granola you can get at the store, but this is so much cheaper and you can use whatever ingredients you like and have on hand.
It tastes great with fruit and yogurt or milk, on its own as a healthy snack and if you packaged it nicely it would even make a nice treat for someone else (a friend who skips breakfast?!). There’s a lot to like about this easy and delicious granola.  Auntie C’s recipe

Chocolate Orange Biscotti

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As you may have guessed from previous posts (see here and here), I quite like tea. By extension, I guess it’s not surprising that I also really like biscotti; perfect for tea and coffee dunking! These treats are fun and easy to make, and the result is a biscotti that rivals any coffee shop’s, but better cause they’re yours and oh-so-fresh!
I love the combination of chocolate and orange in almost any form, so this recipe seemed perfect.

I only made a few modifications: added a teaspoon more orange zest, used bittersweet chocolate chips and left out the nuts so that my brother could enjoy these, too! These were a big hit. Happy weekend, you guys!

Perfect for a rainy day.

What Does Freedom Taste Like?

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Gem-shaped cranberry ice cubes in sparkling wine -- I'm a sucker for shaped ice cube trays!

Gem-shaped cranberry ice cubes in sparkling wine -- I'm a sucker for shaped ice cube trays!

Released from the shackles of academic obligations for the next four months I eagerly embraced my first day of vacation. (Okay, that might be a little dramatic. I like school, and I’ll be starting my summer job soon, so I’m not on total vacation…but summer is always exciting!)
What did I get up to? Quality time with the puppy, a singing rehearsal, yoga, dinner with friends and I got to play in the kitchen! I actually exercised some willpower and didn’t bake at all during my exams, so I was itching to make some dessert. Hope your day was as tasty as mine!

Tired after so much walking!

Tired puppy after so much walking!

My mum's amaaaazing pizza.

Chocolate orange biscotti

Coconut cupcakes

Just a couple of the best gals I know. (They willingly taste test!)

Single(s) For A Day

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http://singleforaday.wordpress.com/

Meet my friend Dylan. Aside from being an all around awesome gal, she also happens to have very cool taste in music and makes THE best mix tapes ever.

So if you’re like me and can’t study without tunes in the background, or if you just want to chill to some great music I would highly recommend giving Dylan’s mixes a listen.

P.S.
That gorgeous picture of Dylan was taken by another great friend of mine, Kylie.
Goodness, I have such talented friends.

 

 

Always On Tea Time: Tea Bag Cookies

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I’ve talked before about my love for tea. I think it’s become somewhat of a ritual for me during exams: I put the kettle on to boil, I waste time doing something fun, and when my tea is steeped and ready that means it’s time to stop goofing off and get to work. (Most of the time, this routine works for me, don’t judge!)
With the end of exams around the corner, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I thought I’d share these cute cookies with you guys!
 My super-cool and lovely friend Kaitlin provided the inspiration for these little tea bag cookie — thanks girlie! Since I was already making a batch of sugar cookies at the time, that’s what I used for these ones, but how much fun would it be to actually make tea-flavoured dough for these ones? (Earl Grey, anyone? Martha Stewart also has a recipe for green tea shortbread that I’ve been wanting to try…any suggestions??)

I cut out the tea-bag shapes free hand, and made a little hole at the top of each one with a sterilized nail.  Once they were baked I tied on their little tea labels and dipped the bottom of each one in melted chocolate — these are perfect for dipping in your tea. If you want to save these for your next tea party (or late night study session…) just layer them in a container with parchment paper between each layer, and you can freeze them for a couple of months!
Happy Sunday/Study Day!

That crazy time of year when exams and singing competitions collide…

Sugar Cookie Recipe!

Easter Treats

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This is what procrastinating schoolwork over Easter weekend looks like:

I’m not sure if I will ever outgrow my love of kiddy treats. These coconut macaroon nests with Nutella and Cadbury mini eggs are perfect evidence of my inner 5 year old.  That being said, the combination of crispy, chewy macaroons and smooth Nutella tastes fairly sophisticated!

I whipped up what has become my favourite coconut macaroon recipe. Once they’re out of the oven, just put a spoonful of Nutella and your favourite little Easter candies
in the nest and you’re good to go! (I just melted some quality chocolate chips for nut-free nests.) Hoppy Easter! (AND these macaroons are totally Passover/kosher friendly, hooray!)

Hoppy Easter!

The inspiration came from the lovely folks over at Two Peas & Their Pod.